Recently, USVs have been gaining recognition in their potential to effectively carry out a wide range of missions within the maritime domain. This trend mimics past development and proliferation in the use of Unmanned Ariel Vehicles (UAVs); which by now have become a reality. Rafael’s Protector is a naval system based on unmanned surface vehicle (USV). Remotely controlled and highly autonomous, Protector is able to conduct a wide spectrum of defense and maritime security missions.
The Protector can serve for maritime security (MS) missions, such as coastal security, harbor security, commercial shipping security, and critical infrastructure such as oil and energy facilities. Performing these missions, the Protector will typically conduct various tasks such as collecting data about activities in the maritime domain, positive identification of targets, creating deterrence at sea through its presence, providing targeting data for response action in case of unlawful event, and interdiction and/or other forms of interception of unlawful activities. The Protector can serve for naval force protection (FP), especially in the littorals. In FP mission profile the Protector will create a safety zone around major vessels and/or task force. This is achieved by patrolling the perimeter zone and performing positive identification of vessels which can pose danger to the main force. Unidentified small boats can be challenged by the Protector in advanced, leaving major assets out of potential danger zone. Force protection can be executed by several Protector systems simultaneously.
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